Yankees Will Likely Exclude Grisham From Postseason Roster
New York is expected to finalize its playoff lineup ahead of the upcoming Wild Card Series.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Baseball
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The New York Yankees are expected to exclude outfielder Trent Grisham from their upcoming postseason roster. The decision comes as the team prepares to begin the Wild Card Series on September 29, 2026.
Why it matters
The roster moves are part of a strategic shift to prioritize right-handed hitters to counter the Boston Red Sox's pitching staff. Manager Aaron Boone must navigate limited position-player spots as the club prepares for playoff action at Yankee Stadium.
Trent Grisham concluded his 2026 regular season with a .211 batting average and 18 home runs. He had previously accepted a $20 million qualifying offer for the campaign.
The players
Trent Grisham
He is an outfielder who accepted a $20 million qualifying offer and is currently recovering on the injured list.
Aaron Boone
He serves as the manager for the New York Yankees and is tasked with finalizing the postseason roster.
Amed Rosario
He is a professional baseball player expected to be excluded from the team's playoff roster.
Anthony Volpe
He is a right-handed batter expected to play a key role in the Yankees' playoff lineup.
Jazz Chisholm Jr.
He is a versatile infielder and outfielder favored by the team for the postseason roster.
The details
The Yankees are prioritizing depth options like Anthony Volpe, Jazz Chisholm Jr., and Jose Caballero to bolster their offensive lineup. Amed Rosario is also expected to be left off the roster as the front office balances the squad.
Timeline
September 2026: The regular season concludes.
September 29, 2026: The Wild Card Series is expected to begin.
Season Trajectory
The Yankees' roster choices reflect a calculated pivot to maximize hitting efficiency against specific pitching styles during the high-stakes Wild Card Series. This move signals a departure from regular-season personnel usage to sharpen the team for a condensed tournament schedule.
The exclusion of Grisham and Rosario confirms the team's shift toward right-handed hitting depth, significantly impacting the utility bench for the opening series. Fantasy managers should adjust rosters to reflect the heavy usage of Volpe, Chisholm Jr., and Caballero.
The takeaway
Roster management in the postseason requires teams to prioritize specific matchup advantages over individual player contracts. Managers must balance historical performance with the immediate need to counter opposing pitching strategies to succeed in short series.
Further reading
For more on team developments, visit Baseball.
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Should the local team exclude expensive underperforming veterans from their postseason roster?
